Hotel BAR @ the Peak Hotel. Downtown Telluride
Step into “Telluride” with big expectation! The best snow skiing, snow boarding, and or snow sports in Colorado, in my experience. Centered in small valley, Telluride is an exclusive and super unique town and mountain. It’s luxurious ski options and small crowds keep the mountain traffic to a low roar. Telluride feels like a large smooth resort! From the tip top of GOLD HILL EXPRESS to the bottom of the Gondola, there are various options/levels of ski activities and dining on the actual ski mountain. Spend your day, in a spa, gallery, shopping, sledding, dining, drinking, sipping by a fire, sledding from a snow cat, snow mobile riding, snow cat riding, terrain parks galore and much much more.
We fly direct from Dallas to Montrose on American Airlines. From there we hire a shuttle or private driver for a hour and 15 min BEAUTIFUL drive to Telluride. FYI I order and pick up my groceries from CITY MARKET in Montrose…as well as the bar essentials at the neighboring liquor store!
Telluride has a first class Gondola (mass transit system) which makes a trip easy and fun to travel around the mountain. Telluride also has a world class Dial A Ride system. With three clicks from the DAR app on your phone in seconds you can order a car, van or shuttle for your group and in minutes a driver appears. All rides are FREE but donations are certainly welcomed. The drivers are eager and happy to help with children, skis, snowboards, car seats or other equipment and bags.
When my familt visits Telluride we are predominately there to SKI! TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SPORT! Mr. Chicken Fry and I work the mountain like two teenagers in heat. We comb the mountain for great fast ski runs and there are tons to choose from…our favorite, the Prospect Bowl. Lots of solid double blue groomed runs. While there are numerous places to stop, warm up, have lunch or a snack, we usually treck back to our house. However, we have fancied a stop at Tomboy Tavern, located at the base of Mountain Village. TomBoy Tavern is always bustling with people. They make a mean bloody Mary or other various cocktails. It’s hard to snag a seat at the bar or on their lounge couch seats but with patience it can be done!
We actually purchase an EPIC PASS. This year long pass is good for numerous ski resorts. However the Epic pass is limited to only 7 days a year in Telluride. However, if you were to ski the limit, via Epic Pass you are eligible to purchase a day pass at 50% off. So opposed to $250 a day the cost is $125 per day per person.
While in Telluride over Christmas we dined out/ ventured out in town and in Mountain Village. Due to the pandemic and rampid new covid varient, it was hit and miss on dine in options.
First stop is always our favorite, The Crazy Elk (pizza parlor). The dough and handmade pizzas or slices are warm and delicious. The crust is pizza perfection. The whole joint is super laid back and chill leaving you feeling warm, full and smelling like a pizza.
For Christmas Eve we loaded the Gondola up with 9 of our people, in matching Christmas pajamas no less. We witnessed an unusually small Christmas Eve torch ski parade followed by reservations at The Alpinist and the Goat. A charming fondue restaurant. Menu options included filet, pork and all of the melt in your mouth cheeses. The teenagers loved it!
Latitude 38 Vacasa & 6 Spring Creek. Mr. Chicken Fry landed a fabulous family friendly home by VACASA – Latitude 38. Our accommodations were well done staying in a four bedroom, plus a bunk room, sleeping a total of 9-10 people. Our three story house was located about 300 yards from two major ski lifts. The Sunshine and Chandola lift. While the house wasn’t exactly “ski in ski out” it was most certainly “ski in” suitable! The kitchen was outfitted for cooking and food prep. The gas stove was a hit for warming the tea kettle and cooking up warm food. A huge pantry and easy to use TV technology. The garage is crazy insulated and warm. In the back the garage has a 6 person built in full blown staging area for ski gear. Most nights we circled in the living room and kitchen around the Christmas tree and played games. Who’s most likey to, ALL OF US FAMILY TRIVIA GAME and LEFT RIGHT CENTER.
VACASA provided humidifiers, paper towels and toilet paper as needed, just a phone call away.
FYI, we travel with our AMAZON ALEXA. It’s become a habit to use it for music, weather reports, populating grocery items and sleep sounds at night. It packs light and is super easy to set up with wifi and the alexa app.
Our rental home had two bedrooms down stairs with private spacious bathrooms. The queen bedroom upstairs shared a bathroom with the office/ one bedroom located off the main living area. There was a balcony, loft bedroom, blow up mattress and a grill. Sadly no hot tub or fireplace but we managed just FINE!
The VACASA Latiitude 38 rental came with a clubhouse perk. The latitude 38 clubhouse is located in mountain Village. The club house can be used anytime during your stay. The club house has private restrooms, complimentary wine, water, hot chocolate and ski lockers. I would call it a nice rest / warm up area. Most notably to brag on VACASA was the plush hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner, coffee and other accoutrements ready and waiting for our stay. A nice simple touch to make us feel welcome.
Alpino Vino The highest restaurant in North America. The elevation is 11,966 feet! We spent NYE at this wonderful Italian dining chalet. Spectacular views and one classy fine dining experience. For dinner, we were escorted onto a large heated snow cat for a 20 min ride up the mountain. We were greeted with over flowing flutes of bubbling champagne and seated in a cozy chalet. There was a beautiful fireplace and the waiters looked like a German gingerbread novel.
We had a lovely ,not too long, four course meal and wine paring. I was impressed with the portions and wine selections. The waiters were crazy schooled on the flavors and how to pair with the food options. Lucky for me and Mr, Chicken Fry, we scored front row seats in the SNOW CAT CAB for the ride home. I will never forget this magic snow drenched night and perfect ending to 2021. CHEERS!
Happy Anniversary to Jim & Holly Buie! We love yall!
SideWorks This is a quaint speakeasy is a precious restaurant located in the town of Telluride. SideWorks has an extensive wine and cocktail menu. We shared three appetizers and family style sides! The food and ambience is much like a NewYork style snazzy joint. The warmer months would be great on the patio.
A local bar and family friendly out hang out spot with a positive vibe. Cold beer, big screen TV’s cozy booths and a pool table. We were served excellent bar food such as truffle fries, nachos and cheese sticks. SHHH! The drinks were cold and the service was great.
Looking to cure our TEX MEX fix we wandered into ESPARANZA’S on a cold winter day. (downtown Telluride) This below ground Mexican dive was super cozy despite the lack luster store front. Down the stairs, a full bar and smell good cocina with a warm vibe. The margaritas were hand shaken and cold and the salsa was well received. The place was packed and it smelled like yummy fajitas and fresh jalapeno. (aka home)!
We ate and drank our way through 8 days of ultra epic snow skiing. The snow gods were dusting the mountain with fresh powder daily during our visit. The primo conditions added so much value to the experience.
SKI TIPS
I for one pack a gold 14 K flask while on the slopes. I have been carrying a flask full of fireball or whiskey for a quick warm up between runs! This flask doesn’t stink or stain. I wash it only twice a year mainly because I keep it gassed up with whiskey.
DRESS WARM – Base layers are super important. Click here for all of the goods on my ski clothes. Snow boots, smart wool socks, lingswallow fleece leggings, goggles, ski’s, ski boots, ski jacket, ski pants and much much more!
I ordered all of my ski gear via Amazon including this bright coral jacket by Obermeyer. The detachable faux fur hood is so cute and warm. There are zippers and compartments all over this ski jacket. It was a 10 on a warm scale and waterproof. I paired it with my favorite go to ski pants the Obermeyer clio pants, they come in multiple colors and prints. I love my lingswallow fleece lined leggings and smart wool socks.
I keep rocking my “wanna be” Sorel snow boots…. These knock off snow boots are warm and do their job. Aside from these furry fun slippers, I don’t pack any other shoes. No need.
The local and closest ski rental place is CHRISTY SPORTS. They offer door to door pick up and drop off/try on. Otherwise Christy Sports has three locations in the area. However, its important to make reservations online before you go. This will save money and time!
Below are is my first post on my beloved trip to Telluride. They say that it’s BETTER IN THE SUMMER…
Love, ski, sleep!
Angi
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